Mini Review iPod touch 16gb

Overview

Early in September, Apple announced the new iPod touch would be available by the end of the month. I had read a lot of good things about the touch and when I finally got my hands on one, I just had to have it….So here I am with a...

In that case I find it even stranger! Surely people aren't expected to buy both products, otherwise Steve Jobs' nonsense boasts about the iPhone being the first truly converged device would be even more untrue. This being the case the choice is simply do you want a phone or not and editing your calendar is hardly a feature which should have a bearing on that?

Well well, nice review inspector_g. To answer your question in the last line, the smaller capacity of the Touch compared to the iPod 'Classic' is down to the technology. The Touch/iPhone use FLASH memory in contrast to the others using hard drives.

I felt that to make a proper comparison between WM devices and iPhones I had to buy one. There is only really one reason why I won't keep the iPhone - No activesync client or push mail. I am sure that Exchange Push Mail will come in time with firmware upgrades for the iPhone but for the moment I can't keep mine.

However, the operation of the device is so slick and functional that I've been tempted to keep it, if only for the media capabilities. And while these are truly well implemented they are lacking in format support. No WMV, WMA or Divx files will play on the Touch/iPhone. This is a shame.

Other things like 3G, while important for some, it's definately not for the masses. I can do without it. I did like video calling to say good night to the kids when I was using the Hermes. But that's the only time I used 3G.

In terms of positioning, I think the Touch will do well, but not against the iPhone. Didn't Steve Jobs himself say that the iPhone was the best iPod experience? The US Pricing makes purchasing the iPhone only a hundred dollars more expensive. Ok, it's half the capacity but that's what syncing is for.

For info, my iPhone came by the way of Ebay. I unlocked it myself and activated youtube. I would recommend it over any current WM device but only to people without the requirements of divx, wmv, wma playback and exchange push mail.

This is said, not to be argumentative, but in taking an unbiased approach to the use of the devices. I don't particularly care for using the iPhones keyboard, but its clearly easier than the built in WM soft keyboards.

Don't fret though, I'm still using the Cavalier! Best one ever for me

Cheerio
Howard

Nice, balanced view there, Howard....

As you state, for the masses, its fine, a worthwhile platform. For the heavier user, I think you are correct in that we see the iPhone as flawed (no 3G, Push etc.) and for that reason its of no use to me. For the masses however, Apple have done their usual fine job of making it almost idiot proof because they know how many of them will buy the thing!

Horses for courses, as they say!

I wouldn't say it's flawed, the reason there is no 3G was given at the O2 annoucement last week as being it severely curtails battery life. I do think that some truth exists in that statement, but you have to take that in context while considering the features of the device. iPhone/Touch - web browsing, live youtube and iTunes store access. Over 3G the battery would be dead in a couple of hours. So for Apple, it was the right move to not include it.

Push mail on the other hand doesn't require hardware, so I would expect a firmware update to offer Exchange integration at some point in the Future, hopefully before January (I'll be in NY on hols ).

So, rather than say it's flawed, I'd say it's limited. And we have to also remember that this is only the first generation device. I wish I could say that MS had over a million sales of their first gen Phone Edition! (Anyone have stats on that?)

I'd recommend that people do have a look at it as an option. If I didn't need push mail and IF it had divx playback I'd definately keep it. I will continue to stick to a more business oriented device for the moment and the Caviler does a wonderful job.

Cheerio
Howard

Points accepted Howard, lets see how Apple refine the device over the years as they have with the iPod....

Thanks Howard...

As for Apple making it idiot proof...is that a bad thing? When I first set up the touch on my wifi network, I found it a far more simpler process than with WinXP.

You have to remember the touch is an IPOD first! The iPhone needs to set itself apart from the touch with more than just a nice phone function. As the iPhone generations progress, there should be more functionality, Exchange integration, GPS etc. Apple need to make it more useful for the potential business user...£279 plus a steep monthly payment isn't going to appeal too much to the average 'leisure user'

But then again, 1 million sales in a couple of months, I can't argue with !!!

Excellent post Howard! And great mini-review inspector_g!

I got my paws on one yesterday. Sadly it was only a shop demostration one. I tried to find one in stock but there was none to be found. I was very impresssed with first impressions of it, and yes it is light as a feather. i want one. My gadget lust is in full flow!!! But as others have said the only drawback is the memory size. Not much of it!! But other than that it has whet my appetite !

I second that, great work guys.

OK I am a very big windows mobile fan have been using them so long I cant even remember my first device. Anyway, not wel at the moment so to cheer me up a family member travelling back from Hong Kong decided to buy me not an ipod Touch but an unlocked iPhone as a pressie!

Only been playing for a couple of hours yet (and havent even used it as ipod yet) but I am very very very impressed! The OS is simply beautiful and brosing the web is just the best experience Ive had using any handheld device. Anyway time will tell and Im certainly not giving up on WM but guys urge you to a local Apple Store if you can and have a play with the Touch or Iphone, you can't help but be impressed.

I can't upgrade to the latest firmware yet which adds even more (like Itunes store over wi-fi) as it renders the phone useless but the unlocked phone is very clear and the screen just works with a slight press.

Oh and re the Touch and it's calender not editable - Ive read that Apple say this is a bug not a feature on the Touch and will be fixed??? Unconfirmed rumours but again time will tell.

The iPhone is very slick, I had a play with one a couple of weeks ago, but compared to the Touch it is quite large.....